MICHELLE Obama and her two daughters have met Bono, his wife Ali and their two sons for a traditional Irish pub lunch.

The Hewson family were the first to arrive at Finnegan's pub in Dalkey, Co Dublin - which has previously hosted the likes of Mel Gibson and Penelope Cruz.

Just the previous weekend, Bono met Neil Young for a pint at the pub.

Dressed in a denim shirt and jeans, Bono called to the waiting crowd: "I thought this was a secret."

Ali looked beautiful in a black leather jacket and skinny jeans, while their two teenage sons were in jeans and shirts.

They arrived about a quarter of an hour before the US First Family.

The whole of Dalkey seemed to be out on the streets, which had been barricaded by gardai and US Secret Service officers, with sniffer dogs on patrol.

Then, a helicopter appeared in the skies and a small cheer rose as the cavalcade of cars finally appeared.

The two girls emerged from a car parked a little up the street, while Michelle Obama emerged from a large black car which had pulled up at the doors.

Little Sasha smiled shyly as she went inside. Little girls from the local Loretto primary school in Dalkey are waiting with bouquets of sweet pea in the hope of meeting the First Family after their lunch.

The family were joined by the rock star come poverty campaigner and about 60 invited guests at the family-owned pub, where they ate fish and chips.

Cottage pies, smoked bacon and cabbage and chicken with mozarella were also said to have been on the menu.

Finnegan's had been closed to the public all morning with the Stars and Stripes draped from a flag pole over the front door a tell tale sign the rumours were correct.

The Obamas made a speedy exit from the building, straight into a waiting jeep, part of the First Family's 12-strong motorcade making its way to Dublin Airport.

Bono stayed inside to chat to customers and fans after the lunch.

"We talked about everything and nothing," he said of his meeting with the First Lady and her daughters.